The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-30
APAPER on EARTHQUAKES
TO BE Read BEFORE THE ma
TlONAL ACADEMY,
by Capt. DuttOn-The ATTORNEY Gen.
erals Opinion on the Free Pass
System In the Postal Service.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-Tha sp.
poiniment II ade yesterday OF Henry
o. Billings as Receiver OF the Land
Office at Haley, Idaho Territory, has
been revoked and Mr.. haley has
been appointed Regis or OF the Land
Office at that place.
Baron de Strive, the Russian Minis
ter, accompanied by Secretary Baysrd,
today paid a farewell visit to the Presi-
dent prior to sailing for Russia. 1t is
said at the Department Of State that
the Minister gees to Russia on leave
OF absence to visit his family.
Capt. Clarence Z. Dut!on, Chief Of
Bureau of Volcanic Geology, Of the
Geological Survey, will read a paper
at the next meeting OF the Nationa'
Academy, which takes place the third
week in April, embooying tie results
OF the study Of an immense mass Of
data upon the Charleston earthquake.
He does not purpose going beyond
well proved facts as to the nature,
origin and iIflence OF seismic phe-
nomena, but he believes that the
material in hand will, when fully
worked up, add much to the mass Of
human knowledge regarding the cause
OF disturo canoes, the rate OF motion OF
earthquakes, and kindred points of
scientific interest, AID that it will
be especially valuable ia sug.
gestions for the observation and
study Of future phenomena. The sd-
vance made latterly in respect to q
knowledge OF earthquake phenomena
may b. illustrated by a single point
The recorded rate OF motion OF the
earthquakes OF history varies from 300
to 90O metres per second. The data
upon the Charleston disturbance
proves conclusively that its earth
waves Travelled between 4000 and 5000
metres second; while French ur
ras at hand containing obser yatlons
upon the Riviera shocks give rates al
most as high. Il is not to be supposed
that modern earthquakes are more
energetic than their predecessors
but it is certain that modern methods
and opportunities give safer results.
The Postmaster General has issu I'D
the folio wing circular addressed to di
vision superintendent and Inspector
and other officials and employees OF the
railway mail service: "The attention
OF the department has been invited by
the officers of many railroad com
panies to the interstate commerce act
with inquiry how far thoss provis
ions which they have deemed restric.
i've of free travel affect persons or EN-
ployes OF the postal service. The cor.
respondence has almost universally
contained expressions of will
ipgness to continue the facili
ties heretofore afforded unless
such course be in contrayen
ton Of law. In order 10 get satisfac
tory exposition Of this point, tn,
opinion Of tie Attorney General wal
solicited whether there be anything il
the act which prohibits the practices
heretofore prevailing. The Attorney
Generals opinion is that the inter
state act does not affect the postal eer
vice, but is in regulation of commerce,
only, and concludes as follows: "a
the act does not include the mail ser
vice in its provisions none of the law
ful, customary and nee asary instru
mentalities by which that service i
conducted are subject to the law
Among the lawful customary ant
necessary instrumentalitie for the ei
ticient, consistent and successful cor
duct OF the service, the Post
office Department is authorized
by law to send Cfiic re, agent
ald clerks of the government TO tax,
charge OF, protect and distribute thu
mails, and to search for and investi
gate errors, frauds, or crimes relating
to them. Persons thus employed
when in the line Of duty or WREN il
pursuance thereof, going to or return
ing from their places OF residence
while in the performance of service
or TO or from their assigned line O
duty in tt ordinary and oustomary
course OF administration Of the ser
vice, should be regarded as in the per
Torrance of official labor, and unat
fected by the provisions of the act"
This authoritative Interpretation re
lievss all railroad companies employed
in carrying the mails from any risk o
violation OF the statute by continu
snce Of the courteous methods of in
tercourse and business heretofore pre-
vailing between the department anC
railroad companies. 1t should b.
added, by way of infor nation, that th,
transpc ration given to Inspector
upon the commission Of the depart
ment and to postal clerks in the lin,
Of their duty, is not free travel, but BY
the law and regulations constitutes
part OF the service paid for in the
mileage compensation to railroal com
panies. Inspectors aud postal clerks
who may be required by any mail con
trsctor to pay fare when travelling or
official duty, will take receipt for the
same and report the facts 20 the de-
partment that the amount may be de
dnctad from the carriers comueusatio